Chelsea try to hijack Willian deal

The Anzhi Makhachkala attacker underwent a medical with Tottenham on Wednesday, and looked on course to agree a deal, before the Blues lodged an increased bid of €37 million

By Greg StobartTottenham[2] fear missing out on Anzhi Makhachkala[3] attacker Willian[4] after Chelsea[5] lodged a late €37 million bid for the Brazilian on Thursday.The 25-year-old underwent a medical at Spurs on Wednesday and looked on course to become the north Londoners' fifth summer signing - and third club-record deal of the transfer window.Tottenham remain hopeful a deal can be reached with Willian after agreeing a deal worth €35m with the Russian outfit, but Chelsea's increased offer trumps that agreed by chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Franco Baldini.This latest twist signals the second change of focus from the midfielder, and his representatives, with Liverpool previously confident of securing Willian's signature after lodging a bid of €30m on Monday.Meanwhile, Gareth Bale's move to Liga giants Real Madrid is thought to be imminent, with Spurs pinpointing Roma winger Erik Lamela as an ideal replacement.The Premier League outfit have tabled a five-year deal worth €76,000-a-week after indicating they will meet Roma's €35m asking price for the Argentina international.Madrid are hopeful of agreeing a world record fee worth in the region of €100m for Bale but Levy is still holding out for €116m despite the 24-year-old’s desire to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.